Correction: That's loud loco although it could be loaded as well?

I should add that the only time in my life I found true contentment was as a happily married person; and consequently put a premium on marriage and marriage vows; and normally little time for folks who cheat!
Rhrosty.

In a country like Australia where marriage has practically no legal/financial/custodial implications, the registration of one's marriage and marriage CERTIFICATES are indeed neurotic.

But not marriage itself.

Most legal marriages, including even church marriages, are not marriages at all, but social events: per those, it's better to save the money and not have them at all. True marriages are in the minority.

Marriage is about discipline. It is about recognising our weaknesses and failings, so that when difficulties strike, marriage help us to remember our commitment - not only to our spouse, but to our spiritual path. Marriage is a spiritual initiation that later, during the difficult moments, reminds us that we freely chose this spiritual discipline of staying with this one partner for the rest of lives while observing celibacy of the 2nd-degree. It's almost needless to mention that if we haven't truly and freely chose this spiritual discipline, then we shouldn't get married.

@Old Man, you're bringing the stupid as good as runner has ever done.
You're wrong with your first point and it get worst from then on.

Monogamy one women-one man marriage were not invented by Christians. in fact nowhere in the bible does it actual say that only this type of marriage is permitted.In fact the new testament actively discourages it.

oh and as far as the "nuclear family" thing, the hint is in the name it's a modern ie 1950-60 thing.

And as for the whole only Christians invent stuff, the rest of the world must not of got that memo. Apart the fact that many cultures have invented stuff, try reading a few books.
A countries of cultures ability for invention waxes and wanes depending on funding. In Europe our quest for discovery was instilled in our culture by the Pagan Greeks, and different countries have been the "seat" of learning depending on their ability to fund it. Italy, then France, then UK and now the US with Asian countries taking over.

You might also want to read up about a little thing called the enlightenment...Christianity was not a great supporter of learning.

If you wanted to pick one thing that Christianity was good at it would be reinventing it's history, funny how that Jesus guy has the same birth date as the Roman Sun God.

Yuyutsu, You make marriage sound like a rather dull and serious duty, but essentially you are correct. However, it is not necessary to make a great song and dance about it, with a public fancy dress parade of commitment and vows, feasting and fun. Fifty years ago my partner and I went to a pleasant quiet place and promised to put up with each other for the next 99 years. It was as serious a commitment as any made in a church or registry office, and we have never told anyone else about it. That makes it very special, whereas a public circus trivialises the event and, as others have mentioned, becomes an end in itself.

Traditional societies don't accept same sex marriage:
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/ap-handful-holdout-tribes-dig-against-gay-marriage
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/06/isis-celebrates-lovewins-by-tossing-4-gays-from-roof-of-building/
Gays continually mock Christianity, it's no wonder Christians get so steamed up about this issue:
http://conservativepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/image4.jpg
http://conservativepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/image6.jpg
http://barbwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/hunkyjesusblasphemy.jpg
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jesuschrist/the-jesus-dildo-4hfd

Marriage is like a tattoo - a great idea at the time, but for life? Marriage should be available for all consenting adults. Australia is lagging, like with climate change.